Dixon of Dock Green was a fictional character on television in the 1950's and 60's. A uniformed police sergeant, Officer Dixon was supposed to be serving in Dock Green which was infact a thin veneer for the truth that the location was meant to be Bethnal Green in London.
The series was shown during the 1950's and 60's and followed on the success of the film "The Blue Lamp" Dixon was firm but very compassionate. Would clip a little kid round the earole for being cheeky and would take the teenager who had been stealing from the local shop home to face a spanking with dads firm hand on the bare backside. While also being more cautious and harsh on those that truly transgressed the law

Any officer that is too concerned with why a criminal behaves the way they do and wanting to help criminals out of a life of crime is called "Dixon of Dock Green". An old fashioned copper.
Dixon was notoriously affected by the humanity behind the crime and the criminal was a product of hapless circumstance which caused Dixon personal pain at times.

He cycled round on a pushbike

Soddin ell them kids are up and down these bleedin stairs of this tower block all day sellin drugs and what do we get to sort it out?
Dixon of Dock Green !
Dixon of fookin dock fookin Green I ask yer !